Rhodes announced today it plans to sponsor a varsity men's lacrosse team in 2011-12. Rhodes currently sponsors both men's and women's club lacrosse. In 2010-11 Rhodes plans to hire a part-time assistant field hockey coach who will also serve as the women's club lacrosse coach.

“Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the South,” said Rhodes Director of Athletics Mike Clary. “We are excited about providing an NCAA lacrosse opportunity to future students at Rhodes. Approximately 25 percent of Rhodes students participate in varsity sports and we are very proud of how athletics supports their academic experience at Rhodes.”

Currently five Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference schools sponsor varsity men's lacrosse and two more schools will sponsor varsity teams in 2010-11. “We've had very strong leadership and student participation the past two years with our men's club lacrosse team and we look forward to growth and interest on-campus with both teams,” said Mike Clary.